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5 Things to Know Today (Oct. 1): Minimum Wage Hike, Cooler U.S. Inflation, Oil Below $100

  Thursday October 1, 2026 A new quarter, a higher minimum wage in Ontario and a softer inflation read south of the border. Here are the five things that matter to your wallet today. 1 Ontario's minimum wage rises to $17.95 today Ontario's general minimum wage climbs 35 cents, from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour, as of October 1 — a roughly 2% bump tied to Ontario's CPI. The student rate goes to $16.90 (from $16.60) and the homeworker rate to $19.70. A full-time worker at 40 hours a week earns about $718 a week before deductions. Federally regulated workers already have an $18.15 floor, which has applied since April 1. What it means for you: If you pay anyone by the hour — a cleaner, a part-time helper, a seasonal worker — hours worked from today forward must be paid at no less than $17.95, even if the pay period started in September. Workers should check their next paycheque. 2 Cooler U.S. inflation eases the pressure on rate hikes The Fed's preferred inflation gauge came i...
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Trade War Looms: Economists Brace for Impact as Loonie Weakens


As the specter of a trade war looms large, economists and market strategists are sounding the alarm, warning of potential repercussions for the Canadian economy. The recent announcement of sweeping tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian goods has sent shockwaves through financial markets, causing the Canadian dollar, or "loonie," to slide to its lowest level since 2003.

Top economists predict that if the tariff war persists, Canada's economy could face its most severe shock since the COVID-19 pandemic. The loonie's decline is expected to exacerbate inflationary pressures and increase the unemployment rate, potentially pushing the economy into a recession. 

Chief Economist Beata Caranci and Senior Economist James Orlando anticipate a "sharp negative reaction" in North American equity markets and further weakening of the loonie, which could drop as low as 65 US cents. The Bank of Canada may be forced to cut interest rates to mitigate the economic impact.

As the situation unfolds, market strategists advise investors to brace for volatility and consider safe-haven assets to weather the storm. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether negotiations can avert a full-blown trade war and stabilize the loonie.




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